Fluid pressure remote control system



FLUID PRESSURE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTM ffw" Aug. 1 8, 1942. P. w. rHoRw-'HLLl lFLUID PRESSURE 4REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filled Nov. S, 1940 s sheets-sheet 2 Augfl,4 19424 i P. w. THoRNHlLl. 2,293,226

FLUID PRESSURE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Nov.; i940 l A 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @fix ifi' Patented Aug.' 1s, 1942 Peter Wax-born Thornhill, London,

England, as-

signor to Automotive Products Company Lim# ited, London, England ApplicatlonNovember 8, 1940, Serial No. 364,942

In Great Britain Novembery, 1939` 2 Claims. (Cl. 121-38) This invention relates to'iluid pressure remote control systems and particularly to those systems'where a number of jacks or equivalent mo.-`

be operated from a.

tor units are arranged to common source of pressure fluid under the control of selector valves the jacks or equivalent.

An object of the invention is to provide in an improved liquid pressure `remote control system of the double-acting variety, novel means for actuating the selector valve or valves; the resultI being to render the system particularly disposed remotely from suitable for use on aircraft where a number of controlled devices, such as retractable undercarriage units, flaps and/or a retractable tail wheel, are arranged to be operated by pressure liquid supplied from a common source.

Another object is to provide, for use in such a system, a reversible control valve operable by the fluid pressure in -a single pipe line.

A further object is to provide a selector valve device operable to vary the fluid pressure in said single pipe line and thereby bring about the actuation of the reversible control valve.

Another object is to provide a selector valve operable to 'modify the pressure in said single pipe line in accordance with the position in which its selector lever or equivalent is placed.

A further object is to provide for use in a fluid pressure remote control system having a motor unit arranged to be fed with pressure fluid from a source through the medium of a control valve device, vnovel means for actuating the control valve device by pressure lluid fed to the control valve device from the same source as the motor unit.

Another object is to provide a control valve device operable in'one direction by pressure fluid at full supply pressure, and in the other] direction by pressure uid at variable pressures, the position occupiedv by said control valve device i thus being substantially wholly dependent upon the relationship which the momentarily applied pressure bears to the full pressure prevailing at the source. y l

Another object is to4 provide a selector valve operable vin at least one setting to reduce the pressure of the liquid to la predetermined proportion of`its valve as received, said proportion being substantially lunaffected by variations in the supply pressure.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of 55 t an improved liquid pressure remote control system;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of one of the selector valve shown in its off position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2. but showing the. selector valve in an operating posi-V tion;A

Figure 4 is a front trol valve devices;

Figure 5 is a Figure 4; Figure 6- isa sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4 and showing the interior construction ofthe control valve device, the connections, however, matically;

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of one of the conelevation of a modified construction of selector valve;

" through a connection reservoir I3l in the known manner.

leads. to a cut-out valve device ed to carry the maximum ilow Figure 8 "is a diagrammatic representation of a form of control valve device suitable for use with the selector valve shown in Figure '7; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view of another form of selector valve primarily for use with the control valve device shown in Figure 8.

The system which is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 comprises a hydraulic accumulator Ill, which is charged by a pump II and which serves as a source of pressure liquid. The inlet connection I2 of the pump is connected'with a reservoir I3, while the delivery connection I4 I5 of any convenient form. Pressure liquid passes as required IB leading tothe accumulator I0 and when pressure in the latter reaches a predetermined value the output from the pump II is returned by way of a connection I'I to the The outlet from the hydraulic accumulator I 0 is permanently connected with a main pressure pipe line I8,l while a main return pipe line I9 serves to take the rejected liquid back to the pump inlet I2 and the reservoir I3. The system shown is adapted to operate a number of double-acting motor units in the form of jacks, two of which are indicated at 20 and 2|, these being each connected by a pair of pipe lines I22,1n the usual manner with corresponding control valve .devices 23 and 24 respectively. Eachtof these control valve devices is coupled with the main pressure pipe line I8 by means of a connection 2 and with vthe return pipe line I9 by a connection 26. The connections 25 vand 26 are, of course, adaptof working liquid requiredby the corresponding jack 20`or 2I.

Thecontrol valve devices of ,the system are plan of the valve device shown in y being indicated diagram-` operated remotely indicated generally at 21, the individual valves 28, 29, 30, 3|, 32 and 33 conveniently being joined togetherV to form a unit turn pipe line I8 by connections 34 and 35 respectively, whereby the selector valves 28-33 are lines from the remaining selector valves are in-l dicated at 36 and lead to corresponding control valve devices (not shown).

The internal construction of each of the selector valves is shown diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 3. A selector valve body 39 has an inlet 34a for pressure liquid and a return connection 35a, while an end connection 36a is adapted tolead to the corresponding single pipe line, such as 36. An annular seating member 46 conveniently of L-shape in radial section is secured at a position between the connections 34a and 36a within a longitudinal bore 4I extending through said body. A mushroom valve member 44 is disposed within the bore 4I and has a head 42 grooved` to receive a rubber seating washer 45, while its stem 43 passes slidably through a secondary plunger 46, itself fitting slidably within the bore 4I and having a rubber washer 41 to prevent leakage of liquid past the two pairs of sliding surfaces. lThe mushroom valve stem 43 is formed with an enlargement 48, which is adapted to be engaged by a shoulder 49 formed within the secondary plunger, while said stem also has an axial bore 50 extending from the head 42 and leading out through radial passages I. The extremity of the stem 43 fits slidably E within a bore 52 formed in an end plunger 53, a

vent passage 54 enabling the space within 'the bore 52 to be maintained at atmospheric pressure. A packing ring 55 prevents leakage of liquid past the stern 43, while an outer packing 56 is provided between the end plunger 53 and the bore 4|. The end plunger 53 is formed with a tubular extension 51, the annular end surface of which is adapted to engage a rubber washer 58 set into an annular recess formed in the adjacent end of the secondary plunger 46, the parts 51 and 58 thus acting in the capacity of a valve, which isolates the bore 50 from the return connection 35a. A flange .59 upon the extension 51 is adapted to co-operate with the end surface 68 of the secondary* plunger 46 in order that substantial thrust may be transmitted without damaging the rubber washer 56.

The selector valve body 33 is bifurcated at one from a bank of selector valves which is coupled with the main pressure pipe line I8 and with the rei valve acts in the capacity end to receive a selector handle or lever 6 I, which is pivoted at 62 and is formed with a pair of abutment pivots 63 and 64 which are in the nature of cylindrical rods extending parallel with the pivot 62, although they are disposed at different distances from said pivot, the member 63 being closer thereto than is the member 64. A substantially triangular thrust member l65 coristitutes a mechanical connection between the selector handle 6| and the end plunger 53, the latter being formed with a recess 66 for the rocksay half, of that member 65. At its ber 65 is formed with a pair of semi-circular grooves 68 and 63 adapted to mate simultaneously with the abutment pivots 63 and 64 when the selector valve is in its off position, as seen in Figure 2. The thrust member 65 is at all times urged towards the selector handle 6| compression spring 10 acting upon a flange 1I on the end plunger 53.

When the selector valve is om as in Figure 2, the tubular extension 51 is free of the washer 58, thus placing the connection 36a and the corresponding single pipe line'in free communication with the reservoir I3 by way of the bore 56 extending longitudinally through the mushroom valve 44. At the same time liquid from the pressure source is present in the connection 34a and acts upon the washer 41, thus forcing the secondary plunger against the enlargement 48 and so holding the head 42 of the mushroom valve member firmly upon its seating 46. It is to be observed that the pressureI liquid also acts upon the annular surface of the head 42 disposed within the seating 40, but the area of this annulus is smaller than that of the washer 41.

When the selector handle 6| is moved upwards to the position shown in Figure 3 the selector of a pressure reducing valve and admits to the single vpipe line only suicient liquid to build up the pressure therein to a value which is a predetermined proportion, in the main pressure pipe line I8. As the selector handle 6| is moved to this position the abutment pivot 63 bears upon the thrust member 65, thus causing the latter to ,abutment pivot 63 reaches a substantially dead centre position as the handle 6I engages a stop 12, and during this movement the end plunger 53 advances the secondary plunger 46 to an extent suilyicient to produce a clearance 13 between the shoulder '43 and the enlargement 48. In this way the force of the pressure liquid acting upon the secondary plunger 46 is borneby the end plunger 53 and this force is no longer available for closing the mushroom valve 44. The axially facing surface 14 of the seating member 40, i. e. the seating proper, is of course annular in form, and its outer and inner Vdiameters are arranged, in conjunction with the diameter of the'stem 43, so that the desired pressure drop is produced. Thus when the selector handle 6I is moved to the position shown in Figure 3, pressure liquid acting upon the annular surface of the head 42 within the seatingmember 40 is ableto move the head 42 away from the surface 14, and said pressure liquid then flows through the connection 36a into the single pipe line. As the pressure builds up in said single pipe line it eiectively acts upon an area of the head 42 equal to the areaof a circle whose diameter corresponds with that of the outside of the annular surface 14, and thus a relatively small pressure in the single pipe line is able to re-close the mushroom valve 44 against the full supply pressure acting inside` the seating member 40. It will be noted that the single pipe line 36 communicates with that area of the washer 58 disposed within the extension 51 and the said area is arranged so that if ing reception of the apex portion 61 oi' the thrust 75 the pressure in the singlepipe line 36 rises unduly .above the proportional value, it urges the' secondary plunger 46 away from the end plunger opposite part the thrust mem.

by a coiled I `slides within the body so.

pipe line 36 back to the reservoir' I3 by'way of the connection- 35a until the desired pressurevalue is reached in saidsingle pipe line 36. 'I Thus if leakage should-occur between lthe valveuhead 42 and the seating member 40, this will ncticause f the control valve device 23 to be operated wrongly by raising the pressure in the single pipe line 36. In fthe opposite position of the selector handle 6|, i..e. when it is moved downwards vto engage with a second stop 15, the abutment pivot 64.

urges the thrust member 65 than previously,

further to the left thus additionally advancing the end plunger 534and the secondary plunger 46.

A shoulder 16 upon said secondary plunger is. thus caused to engage with the enlargement 48 of the `mushroom valve 44 and force the head 42 of the latter positively away from the seating member 40. The connection to the reservoir of course 'remains closed and consequently full supply pres- 53, thus allowing liquid to escape from the single to engage with an abutment ring Figure 6. The actual arrangement is shown in Figure l5. from which it will be seen thatthe levers 95 and 96 have their outer ends supported pivotally by. fulcrum brackets 91 and 98 secured to the body 80.

The control valve motor unit 94 comprises a somewhat thimble-shaped major plunger 99 having at its rimf a radial flange |00 sliding within a bore |0I formed in the body 80, packing washers |02 and |03 being provided. A minor plunger |04` is also slidable within a. plug |05 screwed into the bore |0|, said minor plunger being fitted with a stem |06 having a head |01 slidable with clearance along the interior of the major plunger 99. The underneath of the head |01 is adapted |08, thus producing the eilect of a lost motion connection between the major and minor plungers 99 and |04. The outer end of each ofV these plungers is pointed and, engages with theI corresponding lever 95 or 96. A working space |09 between the major and minor plungers is in permanent communication with the single pipe line indicated t 36 by Way of the connection 36h, while an annular Working 25 and 26 respectively to the main pressure and return pipe lines 9 and I9. Alternative connections 2511 and 26h are provided for convenience, those connections not required being, of course, suitably blocked. A pair of connections 22a are intended for the pipes 22 leading 1to the corresponding jacks 20 or 2| of the system. 'I'he body 60 is drilled for the slidable accommodation of four valve members, two of which, namely P and P', are arranged to control the supply of pressure liquid to the motor unit connections 22a, while the other two valve members, E and E', are provided to permit rejected or exhaust liquid to pass back freely to the reservoir |3. Each of the valves E, P, P and E is formed in two main parts, namely a head portion 6| and a stern portion 82, the latter having a plunger-like enlargement03 sliding within a plug 84 screwed into the body 60, a packingwasher 85 being provided to prevent leakage of liquid past the relatively sliding surfaces. A similar packing washer 86 is provided around the head portion 8|, which 'also Moreover the diameter of the head portion 9| is made slightly smaller than that of the enlargement 83 so that when the valve is open the liquid pressure surrounding the valve member has a slight tendency urging it towards its closed position. Each of the valves E, P, P' and E has a rubber or like Washer 81 clamped between its two parts 8| and 82 and,

adapted to engage with an upstanding annular seating 68 formed upon the plug 84. uThe parts 8| and 83 of each valve are formed where they project from the body B0 with perforated lugs 89 and 90 respectively. The valves are arranged oppositely in pairs,l E, P and E', P', and the valves of each pair are connected together vat one end by a rod 9| and at the other end by a coiled spring 92, which latter is supported intermediate its length by a perforatedbracket 93 so as to draw the valve members E and P gently towards the left, while the valve members P' `and E are similarly drawn towards the right, as seen in Figure' 6. The valvesare actuated through the medium space ||0 surrounding the majorplunger 99 is continuously maintainedv at full supply pressure by a connection leading to the pressure l SOUI'Ce.

The control valve motor unit 94, shown in Figures 5 and 6, is arranged so that when the selector .valve 29 acts in the capacity of a reducing valve to limit the pressure liquid in the single pipe line 36 to substantially one half of the full supply pressure, the minor plunger |09 is advanced so as to actuate, the lever 96, but when full supply pressure is present in thesingle pipe liner36 vthe minor plunger I 04 is retracted and the major plunger 99 is advanced to operate the lever 95. In order that this effect may be produced the cross-sectional area of the bore lill is arranged to be three times thatcf the minor plunger |04, and the cross-sectional area of the annular working space l l0 is 11/2 times the area of the l minor plunger |04. Thus the minor plunger `|04 can be regarded as having one unit of cross-sectional area, in which case the bore |0| would be 3 units'and the annular working space i l 0 would retracted positions, as shown in Figure 6. The

admission of half-pressure to the single pipe line 36 causes the minor plunger |04 to be advanced, the force on said plunger amounting to half unit. It will be seen that the liquid pressure acts also upon the major plunger 99 across its 3 units of area, but as the liquid in the singlepipe line isl at only half-supply pressure, the result is 111/2 units of force acting towards the right, and this is of courseinsufticient to overcome the 11/2 units of force tending to retract the major'plunger 99. When the pressure in the single pipe line 36 is increased to the full value of the supply the major plunger 99 is advanced; the force of,3 units of the rods 9| by means of a control valve motor unit indicated generally at 94,`the operative connections being provided by a pair of levers 95 and 96, which are shown diagrammatically in acts upon the major plunger 99 and this tends to advance sai-d plunger, but is opposed by 11/2-A units of force acting in the annular working space H0, while in addition the full supply pressure `acting upon the minor plunger |04 creates an opposing force amounting to one unit. The lost motion connection |01, |06 prevents both plungers from being advanced at the same time and position indicated at 6Ia the net result is that the major plunger 99 is advanced with a force equal to half unit, which, it will be observed, is the same value as the force with which the minor plunger v|04 is advanced when half-pressure is supplied to the control valve motor unit 94 through the single pipe line 36.

The parts of the control valve device are shown in Figure N6 in the'positions which they occupy when the handle 6| of the selector valve 26 is in its central "oi position. 'I'he pressure valves P and P are both closed owing to the action of theisprings 92, the valves thems'elves being balanced owing to the fact that the supply pressure acting upon the surface of the plunger member 63 completely counteracts any tendency for said supply pressure to open the valve. The exhaust valves E and E', which are connected together by a passage indicated in dotted lines at ||2 are, however, both open and permit the :lack or motor unit 20, with its pipe lines 22, to communicate freely with 'the reservoir I3 so as to compensate in the known manner for leakage of liquid and volumetric changes due to' temperature variations. By moving the' handle 6| to its upper -position liquid at half-pressure is supplied to the single pipe line 36, as previously explained, and this causes the minor plunger |04 to be advanced, thus moving both of the valves P' and E' to the left, as seen in Figure 6. The exhaust valve E' is closed, and the opening of the valve P' permits pressure liquid to ilow through` the connection A| and a passageway ||3 past the valve P' and thence through the corresponding connection 22a to the jack 20. Liquid rejected by said jack passes, of course, into the other connection 22a and then by way of a connecting passage I |4 through the valve E and back to the reservoirby 'way of the pipes 26 and I9. The valves E and P are brought into action in a similar manner by moving the handle 6| to its down position, thus supplying full pressure to the single pipe line 36 and causing the major plunger 99 to be advanced. This, of course, closes the valve E and at the same time opens the valve P. The actual arrangement of the valves is shown in Figure 4, from which -it will be seen that they are disposed with their axes parallel and surround the control valve motor unit 94.

A system arranged in a manner similar t that shown in Figure 1 can utilise selector valves and control valve devices of modified construction, as illustrated in Figures '7 and 8 respectively. The control valve device is arranged to secure its off or inoperative position when fed with half-supply pressure through the single pipe line, the handle 6| of the selector valve 26 being in its mid position as shown. Raising the handle to the places the single pipe line into communication with the reservoir I3, and causes the control valve device 23 to feed pressure liquid in one direction to the jack 20; lowering the handle 6I to the position shown at 6|b causes full pressure to be delivered to the single pipe line 36 and operates the control valve device 23 in the opposite sense s0 that the jack 20 is driven in the reverse direction.

The selector valve shown in Figure 7 operates on .the samev principle as that shown in Figures 2 and 3, but its construction is slightly different. `The handle 6| is mounted upon a pivot 62 and is formed with a cam |20 having a somewhat involute4 profile |2| formed with three arcuate notches |22, |23, |24, wherebythe end plunger 63 is progressivelyladvanced as the handle 6| ,arcanes is moved from its position 6Ia to the position 6|b, said 4notches being engaged by a ball |26 fitted into a recess in the end of the plunger 63.v

'I'he end plunger 63 is formed with an axial spigot 61a having a frusto-conical extremity adapted to act as a valve member cooperating with a seating 66a upon an intermediate member |26 pro.. vided with a packing washer |21. A coiled compression spring 10a acts between the intermediate member |26 and the end plunger 63, a rubber packing washer 56a being interposed. The intermediate member |26 is drilled radially at |26, while the body 39 is drilled longitudinally at |29 to provide communication between the connection 36a and the space surrounding the spigot 61a.- Thus the engagement of the spigot 61a with the seating 68a cuts oil communication with the single pipe line 36 and the connection 36a leading to the reservoir |3. The valve'member 44 is again of mushroomform, but is simpler in construction and has a frusto-conical head 42a adapted to engage with a seating 40a formed integrally with the body 39, the diameter of the seating 40a being slightly the main bore |30 owing to the provision of a shoulder |3|. The secondary plunger, indicated at 46a co-operates with a rubber ring 41 as before andis flanged inwards at its opposite end |35 to slide upon a stud |32 having a head |33. The valve member 44 is Iurged towards its closed position by a spring |34.

The parts are shown in Figure '7 in the positions which they occupy when the selector valve is in its o position, pressure is present in the single pipe line 36. The valve seating 66a is closed by the spigot 61a, thus isolating the single pipe line 36*i from the reservoir I3, and the secondary plunger is held away from the head |33 by thek intermediate member |26, which in turn is supported by the end plunger 63, the ball |26, the cam |20, and the pivot 62. Thus pressure liquid fed into the connection 34a is lfree to forcelopen the valve member 44 against the action of the relatively light spring |34 until such time as the pressure in the single pipe line reaches a predetermined value, at which point the pressure in said single pipe line 36, acting over the greater part of the head 42a, closes the Valve member 44. Should the pressure in the single pipe line 36 tend to rise, for instance on account or leakage past the valve seating 40a, said increased pressure, by acting upon the annular end surface of the intermediate member |26, is able to overcome the supply pressure acting upon the washer 41, and so move the intermediate member |26 away from the spigot 61a, thus permitting liquid to escape from the single pipe line 36 until the proper proportional pressure is restored. To admit full pressure to the single pipe line 36 the handle 6| is moved to the position 6|b and the further- Vbear against the end of the valve member 44,

thus positively opening the latter and providing continuous communication between the connections 34a and 36a. Raising the handle 6I to the position 6|a enables the spring 10a to force back the end plunger 63 so as to create a passage through the valve seat 66a, thus placing the single pipe line in communication with the reservoir connection 35a; At the same time the flange |36 of the secondary plunger 46a bears against the head |33 under the force exerted by the pressure liquid upon the washer 41, said pressure smaller than that of i. e. when the proportionalA liquid from the main supply thus servingto hold the valve 44 closed-more especially on account of in dilwhich are indicated generally vat |4|, |42, |43 and |44, each of these being arranged to open into l the chamber |40 and being provided with an axially slidable valve member. These. as in the previous example, are indicated at P, E, E and P. The inlet for pressure liquid is indicated at 25a, said liquid being at all times free to pass to a working space |45 by way of a connection |46 and thence through a passage |41 to a working space |46 associated with the valve E', while a further passage |46 leads to the valve P. In a similar manner the connection for return liquid is indicated at 26a, and as well as leading to the valves E and E', said connection is in communication with a working space |50 associated with the valve P', a passage |5| being provided for this purpose. The jack of the system has one of its pipe lines, indicated at 22h, in communication with the valve P' 22e, while it also communicates by way of a passagev |52 with the valve E'. Similarly the second pipe line 22d enters the body 80 at 22e leading to the valve P and 'italso communicates by a passage |53 with the valve E. As will be c1early seen in the drawing, all the valves are of mushroom form, but in each case the stem is extended-beyond the head portion, said stems being formed with pistons or plungers, which are acted upon by fluid pressure in order -to secure the desired operation, depending upon the liquid pressure which is present in the single pipe line 36. l

Thus the stem |54 of the valve P is provided with a large diameter piston portion |55 and an immediately adjacent smaller piston the annular space |51 in the bore caused by the difference in their diameters being connected with the atmosphere by a vent passage |58. Thepiston |56 is, of course, equal in diameter to the seating or the valve P, while the piston |55 is, of course, larger.

to support the valve and also acts as an abutment for a light coiled compression spring |60 end with a piston |66 equal in diameter to the piston* |1| of smaller |10.

has at its opposite end a diameter than the plunger I'he action of the control valve shown in Figpiston |55 is insufficient to overcome the supply pressure acting to close the valve P. 'I'he valve E is open, as the supply pressure acting upon the piston |64 is able to overcome the half pressure in the chamber |40 acting upon the slightly larger plunger |62. f The valve E is also open, as in this case the piston |66, subject to ther half-pressure in the chamber |40,

is able to overcome" the spring |68 and the force exerted upon the plunger |61 by the supply pressure in the working space |49. The valve P is closed, as the half-pressure acting upon the plunger |10 is able to yovercome the slight valve opening force exerted by the supply pressure acting within the annular space indicated at |13, this force, of course, being due to the fact by way of a 'connection portion |56, i

A perforated guide |53 ad jacent the opposite end of the stem |54 serves seating of the valve, while its other end acts as i a relatively small plunger |61 and is surrounded by a coiledcompression spring |68 urging the vvalve E i to its closed positio v The valve P' is also urged towards its closed position by a spring |63 and has adjacent the chamber|40 a plunger |10, whileit's stem |12 chamber |40 namely those corresponding that the seating of the valve P ameter than the piston |1|.

When the handle 0| of the selector valve 20 is is larger in dlraised the pressure in the single pipe line 36 i falls'to zero and the control lvalve 23 operates to direct the pressure liquid through the pipe line 22h of the jack 20. As before, each valve takes up its own position, dependent upon the pressures acting on it. Thus the valve P remains closed in the entire absence of pressure in the chamber |40, and for a similar reason the valve E remains open. 'I'he valve E closes, however, under the action of the supply pressure within the working space |43, as this supply pressure is no longer overcome by force exerted upon the piston |56. The valve P opens, as the force on the plunger |10 is removed and the supply liquid in the annular space |13 acts tra) open the valve against the force of the spring 9.

'I'he opposite effect is produced by depressing the handle 6| of the selector valve 28 so as to deliver full supply pressure to the single pipe line 36 and to the chamber |40. The valve P is opened, as the area of the piston |55 is greater than that of the seating of the valve. The valve E is closed, as the plunger |62, subject to the supply pressure in the chamber |40, is larger4 in area than the piston |64, which is also acted upon by the supply pressure, but in the opposite direction. The valve E is acted upon by the supply pressure in the chamber |40 and is larger than the plunger |61 at the opposite end of the valve stem l |65. The valve P is closed, as the supply pressurein the acts upon the whole area of the plunger |10 and creates a closing force greater than the opening force produced by the supply pressure within the annular working space In certain circumstances it may not be necessary to cut off the supply of pressure liquid to the motor cylinder unit or units 'f of the system, the selector valve or valves in these circumstances being provided with only two positions,

`6|a and 6|b inFlgure 7. With deviceV shown in AFigure 8 this the control valve is opened, as the piston with the positions means that the v `coiled compression spring singlepipe line 36 is either open to/the reservoir' I3 or is charged to full supplypressure. A simpler form of selector valve can consequently be used, and one example is shown in Figure 9. The selector valve comprises a body 39 having a handle 6| pivoted at 62 as before. In this case, however, the cam |20 has a`relatively smooth periphery of somewhat involute shape adapted to co-operate with the ball |25 and advance the end plunger 53 as the handle 6| is moved to the position indicated at 6|b. A packing washer 56D prevents leakage of liquid past the end plunger 53 and the site end with a spigot 51a having a pointed or frusto-conical extremity adapted to act as a valve member .closing a bore |14 extending longitudinally through a mushroom valve member 44. This member has a head 42a which is urged ilrmly against a. seating 40a. in the body 39 by a 115. The valve member 44 is provided with a packing ring |16 and is reduced in diameter adjacent its head to produce an annular space `|11 which is in permanent communication with the pressure source by way of the connection 34a. The connection 35a leads as before to the reservoir I3. 'I'hus with the handle 6| in its raised position, as shown, the connection .36a leading to the single pipe line 36 ls in free communication with the reservoir as the spigot 51a is spaced from the end of the valve member M. By moving the handle 6| to the position 6|b the end plunger 53 is advanced, thus closing the bore |14 and at the same time forcing the valve M to its open position; this, of course, places the single pipe line 36 into direct communication with the main supply of pressure liquid. In installations having a plurality of selector valves it is of course possible to use the two kinds of selector valves shown in Figures 1 and 9, the particular valves employed depending upon the kind of operation that is required of'the jack or motor unit concerned. I

The constructions described ar'e, of course, given merely-as examples of the invention and it will be realised that various modifications may be made with a. view to adapting the system to particular requirements.

What I claim is:

1. In a iluid pressure remote control system, the combination, with a double-acting motor unit havingpa pair of inlet ports of a source of iluid pressure, a selector valve, a supply line leading from said source to said selector valve, a variable pressure line leading from said selector valve,

latter is formed at its oppoi.

means responsive to movement of said selector valve to vary the fluid pressure in said variable pressure line, means responsive to such pressure variation to direct fluid ilow to a selected one of said inlet ports, said last-named means comprising a control valve assembly comprising a plurality of individual valves operable to achieve three diierent valve combinations or settings, to

one of which settings said valve assembly is moved in response to full pressure in'said variable pressure line, to another in response to zero pressure in said variable pressure, and to the third in response 4to a predetermined intermediate pressure, and pressure-responsivemotor means for shifting said control valve assembly, said shifting means comprising a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said valve assembly, means connecting said rocker arms to the individual valves of said valve assembly, and f actuating means interposed between and in abutment with said rocker arms, to rock the latter, said interposed means comprising a member having parts of different'I diameters, and major and minor plungers in said parts, for alternate movement in opposite directions according to the pressure existing in said variableA pressure line.

2. A valve assembly comprising a plurality of individual valves operable to achieve three different valve combinations or settings, and pressure responsive means for actuating said -individual valves, said actuating means comprising a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said valve assembly, means connecting said rocker arms to the individual valves, to shift' alternate movement in opposite directions accord- Y ing to thev pressure exerted thereupon.

`PETIER WARBORN THORNHILL. 

